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As HIV becomes a growing threat around the world, people want access to information that can help them to avoid this potentially deadly disease. Medical experts have indicated that condoms can be a good way to prevent an HIV infection, but there are other steps you can take to reduce your chances of contracting HIV.

1: Abstain The most effective way to not contract HIV is to not have sex with anyone until you are prepared to get married. When the time comes, you and your significant other can get the tests done to determine your HIV status, and then make the informed decision that will affect the rest of your lives.

2: Be selective on your sexual partners When you find someone who you have strong feelings for, it is important to have an open discussion about HIV prior to having sex. If you are extremely selective about the partners you choose, then you can significantly reduce your chances of contracting HIV.

3: Consider monogamy One of the surest ways to prevent HIV if you want to remain sexually active is to be monogamous with someone who is not HIV positive.

4: Use only sterile medical equipment Whether you are giving yourself a shot of medication at home or getting an injection from a medical facility, always insist on making sure that the needle is sterile. Avoid previously used needles when you are injecting medication, or when you are getting medical treatment.

5: Insist on tested blood If you ever need a blood transfusion, then insist on only using blood that has been tested for the HIV and AIDS viruses.

6: Get yourself tested If you get yourself into the habit of being tested for HIV a couple of times a year, then it becomes easier to insist that your sexual partners do the same. If you do decide to have sex with multiple partners throughout the year, then you should insist that they take the same steps you do in getting tested for HIV and having those results with them to show you. It seems extreme, but it is much better than the alternative.

7: Get treated for HIV immediately If you had sex with someone and start to feel flu-like symptoms soon afterwards, then get tested immediately. The newer HIV medications being used can actually help to stop the infection if it is caught soon enough. The sooner you get tested, the better your chances of stopping the infection.